crayfish

noun

cray·​fish ˈkrā-ˌfish 

1

: any of numerous freshwater decapod crustaceans (especially families Astacidea, Cambaridae, and Parastacidae) resembling the lobster but usually much smaller

2

: spiny lobster

Illustration of crayfish

• crayfish 1

Examples of crayfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Following the zap, the crayfish were placed into separate tanks which had darker and lighter areas. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 4 July 2024

All marbled crayfish descended from a single clone discovered in Heidelberg, Germany in 1995. —Big Think, 24 June 2024

This is especially true when using small soft-plastic baits that mimic crayfish or leeches. —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 23 May 2024

For the North American river otter, fish, crayfish, frogs and turtles are on the menu, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute reports. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from Middle English crevis, from Anglo-French creveis, escreveice, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German krebiz crab — more at crab

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing crayfish

• sea crayfish

Kids Definition

crayfish

noun

cray·​fish ˈkrā-ˌfish 

1

: any of numerous freshwater crustaceans that are related to but usually much smaller than the lobster

2

: spiny lobster